The Alluring Scent Of 'Is That Your Boy's Cologne?

There are several songs that mention cologne, including Cologne by Beabadoobee, which has explicit sexual themes. Another song titled Cologne was written and sung by Sia, which was originally pitched for Kelly Clarkson and also offered to Britney Spears. Other songs that mention cologne include Just What I Needed by The Cars, Carey by Joni Mitchell, Last Call by Kanye West, Uma Thurman by Fall Out Boy, and Lady Grinning Soul by David Bowie.

Sexual themes in songs

Music has long been a crucial interest of youth, and its importance hasn't waned in the era of new media and music-listening platforms. Young people listen to music to improve their moods and cope with problems, and they also use the images and messages in lyrics to acquire knowledge of the social world and develop their identities. Therefore, it is important to understand the messages inherent in music.

Sexual Themes in Pop Music

The predominant topic of pop music remains romantic and sexual relationships. References to sex in relationships have increased with each decade since the 1950s and have become more explicit over time. This trend may have intensified since the 1990s.

Examples of Sexual Themes in Songs

• "Let's have some fun/ This beat is sick/ I want to take a ride on your disco stick", "Disco Stick" by Lady Gaga
• "My chick could have what she want/… I know she ain't never had a man like that/to buy her anything she desires", "Whatever You Like" by T.I.
• "They say she low down/ It's just a rumor and I don't believe 'em/They say she needs to slow down/ Baddest thing around town", "Sexy Chick" by David Guetta and Akon

Artists' Intentions

Beabadoobee, the singer of "Cologne", confirmed in an interview with i-D that the song is about "sex and finding myself attractive".

Studies on Sexual Themes in Songs

A study published in Evolutionary Psychology revealed that 92% of songs that make it into the Billboard 100 have "reproductive messages". Psychology professor Dawn R. Hobbs from SUNY-Albany analysed all the American chart-toppers from 2009 and found that there are 10.49 sex-related phrases per song on average.

Artists who wrote songs about cologne

Artists who have written songs about cologne include Beabadoobee, Sia, Kanye West, and Missy Elliot featuring Ludacris.

Beabadoobee's song "Cologne" explores sexual themes and finding oneself attractive. The song is the second track on her EP "Our Extended Play."

Sia's song "Cologne" was written about a breakup and the lingering presence of a former lover in the form of their cologne. The song was originally pitched for Kelly Clarkson and also offered to Britney Spears.

Kanye West mentions cologne in his song "Last Call", with the lyrics "My money was thinner than Sean Paul's goatee hair / Now Jean Paul Gaultier cologne fill the air."

Missy Elliot featuring Ludacris mentions Burberry cologne in their song "Gossip Folks": "Now all around the world on the microphone / He leaves the booth smellin' like Burberry cologne."

Lyrics of 'Cologne' by beabadoobee

"Cologne" is a song by beabadoobee, the second track on her EP "Our Extended Play" (2021). The song is sexually themed, with the singer wanting to write a song about sex and finding herself attractive.

The lyrics to "Cologne" are as follows:

[Intro, Live in London version]

This is our last song

This one goes out for that one sexy motherfucker

[Verse 1]

Am I seductive?

Call me back in an hour

If you wanna go back home

Oh, baby, least leave the scent of your cologne

Leave the scent of your cologne

[Chorus]

I'm not done yet

Please, kiss my neck

Let's go for another round

I hate what this song is about

[Verse 2]

Am I attractive?

Tell me, am I good enough?

Lately, I've been on and off

I think I've hurt too much, my wrists are numb

Hurt too much, my limbs are numb

[Chorus]

I'm not done yet

Please, kiss my neck

Let's go for another round

I hate what this song is about

[Post-Chorus]

You're in my head

You're in my head (Fuck)

[Verse 3]

I'm so attractive

Think I'm goin' to еxplode

Baby, I've been home alone

Won't you just drop your shit and pick up the phone

Drop your shit and pick up the phone)

[Chorus]

I'm not done yet

Please, kiss my neck

Let's go for another round

I hate what this song is about

[Outro]

Yeah

All the way

Yeah

Lyrics of 'Cologne' by Sia

"Cologne" is a song by Sia that explores the lingering presence of a former lover through the scent of their cologne. The lyrics capture the emotional turmoil of someone trying to move on from a relationship, struggling to let go of the memories and emotions tied to their ex.

Verse 1

The lights are hung, and I

Look for anything to soothe my mind

Look for anything to pass the time

The tears are coming now

Turn the TV on, try not to drown

Counting minutes while I wait this out

Pre-Chorus

But boy, you cut me deep

Now my heart bleeds

I close my eyes

My senses cry

Chorus

'Cause your cologne is still on my pillow

And it's hard to sleep without you here

Your cologne is all that I have known

And I'm all cried out since you disappeared

And all that's left is your cologne

Verse 2

So I'll pack all your things

And I'll take care of these broken wings

I won't let you play my heartstrings

We're done, though I loved you, babe

Gotta wash your sins away

Gotta start my life again

Pre-Chorus

But boy, you cut me deep

Now my heart bleeds

I close my eyes

My senses cry

Chorus

Your cologne is still on my pillow

And it's hard to sleep without you here

Your cologne is all that I have known

And I'm all cried out since you disappeared

And all that's left is your cologne

Outro

Your cologne is still on my pillow

And it's hard to sleep without you here

Your cologne is all that I have known

And I'm all cried out since you disappeared

Since you disappeared, since you disappeared

All that's left, all that's left, all that's left is your cologne

All that's left, all that's left, all that's left is your cologne

The song "Cologne" by Sia expresses the raw emotions of heartbreak and the difficulty of moving on when confronted with reminders of a past relationship, in this case, the lingering scent of a former partner's cologne.

Other songs with cologne references

Several songs reference cologne in their lyrics or were inspired by fragrances. "Cologne," by beabadoobee, is one such song with explicit references to cologne in its title and lyrics. The song explores themes of sexuality and self-perception. Sia's song "Cologne" also directly mentions cologne in its lyrics, conveying the lingering presence of a past relationship through the scent of a partner's cologne.

Other songs that reference cologne include "Let Me Watch" by Viktor Vaughn, which mentions Samsara by Guerlin and Fahrenheit. Kanye West's "Last Call" includes the line, "My money was thinner than Sean Paul's goatee hair/Now Jean Paul Gaultier cologne fill the air." In "Gossip Folks," Missy Elliot and Ludacris rhyme, "Now all around the world on the microphone/He leaves the booth smellin' like Burberry cologne."

Additionally, Cam'ron's song "Oh Boy" advertises his fragrance, and Soul Position's "Right Place Wrong Time" hints at a partner's infidelity with the line, "You walked in the door before daylight, make-up messed up smellin' like Fahrenheit." Snoop Dogg's "Lodi Dodi" mentions Cool Water, and "Devil with the Blue Dress" by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels mentions Chanel No. 5.

Some songs are even inspired by specific fragrances. For instance, Eddie Barclay's "Ode de Guerlain" was inspired by a Guerlain fragrance, and Taylor Swift's perfume "Wonderstruck" was inspired by her song "Enchanted."

Frequently asked questions